PHOENIX – A new measure signed into law Thursday temporarily allows Arizona abortion providers to perform the procedure in neighboring California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom passed the bill, effective immediately, in response to a recent Arizona Supreme Court decision. 1864 comes into force in the state.
The law would also allow patients to obtain abortion services from Arizona Health Services in California until November 30.
“Arizona Republicans tried to turn back the clock to 1864 to ban abortion in their state. We refuse to stand up to and acquiesce to their oppressive and dangerous attacks on women,” Newsom, a Democrat, said in a statement Thursday.
The fate of Arizona’s 1864 ban, which has no exceptions for rape or incest, remains up in the air. The state Supreme Court reversed Arizona’s 15-week abortion ban will be the law of the land until September 26, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
The California Legislative Women’s Caucus took the reins in crafting the state’s legislation. The organization’s chairwoman, state Sen. Nancy Skinner, said the new law could give Arizona women a safe haven for abortions when the 1864 law goes into effect.
“Our Arizona sisters can come to California and get the medical care they need from their own doctors they know and trust,” Skinner said in a statement. “California has made it clear to anyone who needs or delivers basic reproductive care: they have your back.”
Arizona Governor Kathy Hobbs signed the cancellation of the ban on May 2, but the repeal will take effect 90 days after the end of the legislature’s July legislative session.